(^68) FLYLIFE
H
ow many of you return home
from fishing, sit down, contem-
plate your day and truly appreci-
ate the pleasures that have been
gifted to you? I bet not many of
you. I didn’t — until recently.
Mid September 2016 I badly broke
the tibia and fibula bones in my left
leg whilst playing a social game of the
ridiculous sport that is soccer. My foot
rolled and I heard an extremely loud
crack, just like a dry tree branch snap-
ping. I immediately knew my leg was
broken, and by the time I hit the floor
my only thought was that the fishing
season started in two weeks! If you
want to put a fly fishing mate, who
has maybe stolen a fly too many from
you, into a state of depression, then
break his legs before season opener...
It works.
I spent a week in hospital, had
three foot-alignments and an opera-
tion which came complete with a
metal plate and 16 screws. By the
time 1st October arrived I was lying
in bed with my leg raised to stop it
swelling. I couldn’t move anywhere
past the toilet and could only look at
trout online... “Just take me, take me
now,” I thought.
Two long weeks or so passed at
home and the pain eased enough
for me to venture out. I managed to
source a wheelchair, and my part-
ner, Nicky, took me to the outlet ofa local lake — a smooth concrete
area where we could park right next
to the water’s edge, complete with a
concrete stand on which to place my
leg — it was perfect. Feeling semi-
normal for the first time in weeks, I
eagerly set up and began throwing
loops. Heaven!Sam Reach reflects on the agony
and ecstacy of his fly fishing season.
Keeping Me Sane
Wheelchair bound.Hobbling, but still fishing.